November 25, 2025

120: Rooted Conference Highlights & Pressure to Become "Real" Pastors

32 minutes

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss their recent experience at the Rooted Conference, sharing a few key highlights for each of them. While at the conference, multiple attendees asked about how to discern whether to remain in youth ministry or to move into other areas of ministry. The conversation affirms the dignity and the need for gifted youth pastors to stay in youth ministry, while also recognizing that some are called to pastor a generation... so it makes sense to grow in ministry along with them.

Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.

John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.

Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.

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